About the Moderator - DeeDee Queen

DeeDee Queen is a drag queen trapped in a cis-woman’s body—a performing woman who is performing “woman.” DeeDee Queen is rewriting her story, disrupting Diet Culture, and taking down the patriarchy by taking off her clothes in body positive burlesque, pole dance, and drag performances and classes around California’s Bay Area (and beyond!). She recently took home a gold medal for “Entertainment” at the Pacific Pole Championships, and is a certified Pole Level 1 instructor through Elevated Education. She currently teaches body positive burlesque classes in person and over Skype.    Website

About the Panelist - Mister Twister Maximus Sinsation

Mister Twister Maximus Sinsation (Mr. Twister for short) is an award winning male entertainer & burlesque performer based in Chicago, IL (USA). Having the background in both music and dance, Mr. Twister has started performing burlesque in 2015 out of hunger to explore his creativity and to change gender stereotypes. Through his signature movement style and choreography, in each of his acts he tells a unique and narrative story that takes the performance art to a new level. Approaching female-dominated burlesque community as an alley and a guest, he also teaches classes and workshops to promote positive masculinity in burlesque. And with the side interests in pole dancing and belly dancing, he expands his talent far and beyond the burlesque scene. Why walk when you can dance! Mr. Twister, he is the Maximus Sinsation of Burlesque who likes to get things twisted, and his influence in making America sexy again is proven. He was a member of burlesque troupe Better Boobie Bureau from 2015-2017, as well as various other burlesque productions in the Windy City. Mr. Twister has performed on the stage of many Chicago local hot spots, also in many other cities across the United States.

Burlesque Festival appearances:

Oregon Burlesque Festival 2016 & 2017, Smoky Mountain Burlesque Festival 2016, Michigan Burlesque Festival 2016 & 2017, Wisconsin Male Burlesque Festival 2016, Vermont Burlesque Festival 2017, The Great Burlesque Exposition 2017, Houston Burlesque Festival 2017, Dallas Burlesque Festival 2017, Empire Burlesque Festival 2017, Mile High Burlesque Fest 2017, Texas Queerlesque Festival 2017, Pensilvania Burlesque Festival 2017, Burlesque Burlesque Burlesque 2017, Discordia Days Burlesque Festival 2017, NY Boylesque Festival 2017.

At Burlesque Burlesque Burlesque 2017 he has won a Brew-HaHa award for the most comedic act.

   Website

About the Panelist - Red Velvet

Red Velvet, a life-long dancer, has performed in musical theater and burlesque throughout the U.S. and internationally.   Red Velvet is proficient in various dance forms and teaches classes in burlesque, cancan, and Isadora Duncan dance.    Red Velvet is co-artistic director of a monthly show, DIVA or Die Burlesque, and is artistic director of the cancan troupe, The Velvettes.  She has performed with the award-winning Hot Pink Feathers and award-winning Flaunt Follies, Bombshell Betty’s Burlesqueteers, Alegria Samba Dance Company, and was artistic director for the dance group Pretty, Pretty Please.   Her burlesque performances have won Judge’s Choice at the 2019 Arizona Burlesque Festival, Most Classic at the 2016 Great Burlesque Exposition and Most Humorous at the 2014 Great Burlesque Exposition.  She co-created five full-length burlesque/cabaret/theater productions: Rebel without a Bra, At the White Rabbit Burlesque, Hotel Burlesque, Just Another Zombie Holiday Show, and Dollhouse Monsters.  She loves bringing her crazy ideas on stage for your enjoyment.  Come and Try a Slice of Red Velvet!

   Website

About the Panelist - Trixie Santiago

Raised on a steady diet of classic musicals and golden age science fiction, Trixie Santiago combines elegance and a sense of limitless possibilities. Inhabiting the space between yesterday and tomorrow, dress and undress, dreams and reality, she brings audiences along on a journey of ecdysiac transformation. Trixie is a frequent performer at WTF Queerlesque. She has also performed at Rogue Burlesque's "Lucky 13" amateur burlesque competition, the Newcomers' Showcase at the 2014 Great Burlesque Exposition, and the Royal Court's New Talent Showcase.    Website